Research on “Assessment of corruption risks in state-guaranteed medical assistance provided free of charge and under privileged conditions” was presented and discussed in Yerevan on June 6, 2016. The research was conducted by Transparency International Anticorruption Center (TIAC) together with Regional Development and Research Center (RDRC) NGO within the framework of USAID funded “Engaged Citizenry for Responsible Governance” project. The event brought together more than 70 representatives from state institutions, NGOs and international organizations to be introduced with the findings and recommendations of the research.

Opening remarks were made by Sona Ayvazyan, Deputy Director of TIAC, Saro Tsaturyan, Head of State Health Agency of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia and Satik Badeyan, Chair of RDRC. In the words of Sona Ayvazyan “Rather than thoroughly studying how pervasive corruption is in health sector, we attempted to understand the systemic problems, leading to legislative gaps that cause corruption.”

According to Saro Tsaturyan the mentioned issues were in the focus of the Ministry of Health. Addressing the research, he said that it was rather profound and comprehensive, the findings of which were preliminary discussed in the Ministry. “Corruption risks in health sector are the outcomes of versatile factors and are connected with both legal regulations and insufficient funding in Armenia,” mentioned Tsaturyan.

Ashot Melkonyan, Health Expert of RDRC spoke on “Rendering and funding of state-guaranteed medical assistance provided by hospital free of charge and under privileged conditions,” and Liana Ghaltaghchyan, Public Policy Analyst of TIAC addressed “Oversight of state-guaranteed medical assistance and service provided free of charge and under privileged conditions.”

A number of problems were revealed in the course of the research regarding the types, basis and funding of medical assistance provided by hospital, procedures of providing hospital medical assistance, including doctor's referral and registration, citizens’ awareness rising, and complaint mechanisms, as well as oversight of hospital medical assistance and service and other systemic problems that cause corruption risks.

See the event’s photos and press coverage on Civilnet, ArmeniaTV, AR TV Azdarar, Aravot, Tert.am websites